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Help! My boss won’t stop talking about politics. I work in a role that doesn’t involve national, state or even local politics, so there’s no reason to be discussing these topics. In fact, I look forward to my workday as a break from all the news and angry discourse on social media. But my boss is obsessed with his political views and brings them up every chance he can get with anyone who will listen. One time, he cornered me in the break room and went on and on while I stayed mostly quiet. I’ve told him to his face that discussing these things makes me uncomfortable, but he brushes it off like I’m being oversensitive. I don’t agree with his views, but either way I’d prefer to keep mine private. 

When he makes these statements and asks what I think, it feels like some kind of test. I just want to do my job in peace. Is that too much to ask?

Politics in the workplace is a huge problem. We are at work to get a job done, and unless you work in politics or in political activism, there is very little need to discuss politics. I work with a wide variety of people, and I only rarely know their political views, yet the work gets done.

If he were a coworker, you could say, “Jim, knock it off,” every time he does this. But he’s not a coworker; he’s your boss.

This shouldn’t make it a problem. Normal humans understand that not everyone is obsessed with politics and remember the rules of society in that we don’t discuss politics, religion or money in polite company. This includes the workplace.

But your obsessed boss did not learn this lesson, and your attempt to teach him by saying, “I’m uncomfortable,” didn’t work either. I don’t know whether or not your boss is aware of your political leanings, but it’s not at all unusual for people to have different views than their bosses and coworkers. In fact, it’s the norm.

Political views are not monolithic

One thing I’ve learned over the years is that political loudmouths think everyone agrees with them. I do, in fact, have two degrees in political science, and I’ve worked in the HR space for 27 years, which (unfortunately) is filled with political loudmouths. These loudmouths often believe that because they are good people, all good people must believe the same way they do. Therefore, they speak with confidence around other people because, of course, you appear to be a decent human being and therefore agree with them.

They couldn’t be more wrong. Even in the reddest of red states and the bluest of blue states, not everyone votes for the same person. California is no exception.

In the 2024 presidential election, 58.47 percent voted blue and 38.33 percent voted red, but 38 percent didn’t bother to vote. Which means, in reality, it was 35.9 percent blue, 23.6 percent red, 2.5 percent other, and 38 percent who didn’t vote at all. 

So while your boss may feel confident everyone around him believes the same as he does, the reality is they are just staying quiet.

You likely have many coworkers who are also fed up with your boss’s political obsession — even if they agree with him.

Fortunately, you’re protected

California is one of the few states that consider political views protected. Labor Code sections 1101 and 1102 prohibit employers from “controlling or directing” employees’ political activities or trying to coerce political views.

That doesn’t mean you can’t talk politics at work, but if the boss tries to coerce your political views, his behavior is unlawful. Additionally, your boss cannot take a negative action against you for disagreeing with him.

If your boss is just middle management and not the CEO or owner, then I’d first tell him plainly, “I do not want to discuss politics anymore. Please stop, as I’m feeling pressure from you, and that is a violation of California law.”

If that doesn’t work, report him to HR and his manager. Send an email to HR, copying your home email address, saying you feel your boss is violating sections 1101 and 1102 of the California Labor Code. This simply puts the company on notice that potentially illegal behavior is happening.

If your boss is the CEO or owner, and he demoted you, fired you or took another adverse action against you, you can file with the California Labor Commissioner’s Office.

But if he hasn’t taken any discriminatory actions, and you can’t shut him up or tune him out, the best option may be to find another job. It seems unfair that the boss can be a full-on jerk, and you’re the one who has to leave, but it’s nearly impossible for an employee to change the boss’s behavior.  

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